Top 4 wines under AED100 (column 2)
Meet sommelier Luca Gagliardi
As you read my second wine column for FooDiva (here’s the first one if you missed it), many of you will be back to the daily grind with work, school runs and emails piling up. It’s time to destress with a glass of wine then!
Both MMI and A&E are introducing an impressive collection of new season wines, and here I have selected four legendary wines at a very reasonable price (all under AED100 including tax!) for your drinking pleasure. They are also available at duty free. These wines pair well with dishes, for hopefully, just another month of indoor cooking!
Naturally, this column contains references to alcohol, and is therefore only for reading if you are of a legal drinking age in your country of residence (in the UAE that’s 21 years) and non-Muslim.
So here’s my second column. Let us know what you think in the comments or on social media using the hashtag #FooDivaVino. Feel free to suggest some wines you’d like to me to review next time. Cin cin 🙂
Chenin Blanc, Morgenhof, South Africa, 2013 – once an underestimated grape variety but fast becoming the rising star of the wine world, Chenin Blanc is hotly tipped to replace Sauvignon Blanc. Still fresh and crispy, its palate is less sophisticated than the Sauvignon, and one you will not tire of, as it contains many more white fruits such us pears, apples and peaches. It’s the perfect pairing for a turkey, chicken or veal roast meal. My wife Sandra and I love to match it with avocado, both guacamole style, or with a tuna and avocado tartare. AED71 + tax from A&E.
Alois Lageder, Pinot Grigio, Italy, 2014 – the crowd-pleasing Pinot Grigio needs no introduction. The reason behind the love for this wine is that it is uncomplicated. As well as being the perfect aperitif for a large dinner party, the Pinot Grigio pairs well with food. Serve alongside sharing platters such as mozzarella and tomatoes, cold cuts, olives, pâtés, hummus and babaganoush. My personal preference is to serve it with sushi; it might not be the most obvious match but it’s a great one. AED59 + tax from MMI.
Penfolds ‘Rawson’s Retreat’, Shiraz Cabernet, Australia, 2015 – while the price may be low, the calibre is high in this super value wine, born out of one of the world’s greatest winemakers. It is probably one of the best new world blends ever created, deep in body, flavours and with a peppery finish. This wine is an unrivalled choice for grilled pork ribs, braised beef brisket, spicy sausages and chicken tandoori skewers. It also makes an excellent complement to a spicy beef stew with potatoes, carrots and onions. AED63 + tax from A&E.
Baron Philippe de Rothschild, Escudo Rojo, Chile, 2012 – when a fantastic French wine château ventures outside its border, an outstanding wine at an outstanding price is born. This Bordeaux-style rouge is perfect for cooking up a storm with red meat. Beef wellington is my go-to dish for this wine. If that’s too tricky to make, then serve it with a simple pan-seared fillet of beef accompanied by sautéed mushrooms and roast potatoes. It also goes very well with a simple platter of hard cheese like Parmigiano Reggiano or Pecorino. AED75 + tax from MMI.
WHO IS LUCA GAGLIARDI? Sommelier by birth, and Michelin-starred trained maître d’, Luca dedicated a decade to the service of world-renowned chef Gordon Ramsay. His CV boasts an impressive list of success stories including Roberto’s, Iris, Solo and now at R Trader as general manager with Dubai’s first authentic speakeasy bar. In his spare time, Luca is in his state-of-the-art home kitchen cooking for friends and discovering new wines, anything but rosé! You can follow him on Twitter at @sommelierdubai or on Instagram at @simonelucagagliardi
Top 4 wines under AED100 recommended by @sommelierdubai – available at @MMI_Dubai @AfricanEastern https://t.co/AACye2bl3I #FooDivaVino
— FooDiva (@FooDivaWorld) August 31, 2016
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